The Old Lockup

Wirksworth, Derbyshire, England

Built in 1842, this 4-room luxury bed & breakfast was once a magistrate’s house and police station.

Indeed, its former role is responsible for two notable historic claims-to-fame. First of these is that it was here that the murderer George Townley was held prior to trial at Derby Assizes – Townley had stabbed his fiancée Elizabeth “Bessie” Goodwin to death in August 1863. He escaped the death penalty on a legal technicality, only to commit suicide in 1865.

However, a more famous name with a connection to the building is D H Lawrence. Shortly after World War I he and his German-born wife Frieda lived in a nearby cottage. As she was officially listed as an “alien” it was necessary that they report to officials at the building on a weekly basis. Lawrence’s short story “A Wintry Peacock”, published in 1921, is said to have been set in the immediate area.

Rooms are divided between the main house (the Magistrate’s Room and the Solicitor’s Room) and the coach house (the Hayloft and the Coachman’s Room). Ideally situated for exploring the Derbyshire Dales, the Old Lockup is within easy reach of Matlock, Chesterfield and Derby.See the Historic Hotels in Derbyshire index

Online Booking and Reviews for The Old Lockup

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